Separation of Organic Acids from Ruminant Blood by the Wiseman-Irvin Method

Abstract

A column chromatography method is described for separating quantities as small as one microequivalent of valeric, butyric, propionic, acetic, and formic acids from ruminant blood. Lactic and betahydroxybutyric acids are separated from other acids present but not from each other. The method is a modification of one developed for separating organic acids in silage (Agr. Food Chem. 5:213. 1956). Efficiency of separation of organic acids on this column is usually 90 to 95% as indicated by radioactive tracers. Several laboratory conditions found to be of special importance are presented. Advantages and limitations are discussed.